Collapsible shelter apparatus

ABSTRACT

A collapsible, temporary shelter for use by an outdoorsman has a hollow body composed of two mirror image body members hinged to one another for swinging movements from a position in which one member overlies the other to form the hollow body, such body being coupled at a level above ground level to a movable vehicle. One of the body members is swingable to an adjusted position relative to the other about a substantially horizontal axis so as to extend downwardly to ground level. When the body members are in such adjusted position they provide a seat and a foot support for the user and also provide support for an upstanding framework on which a cover may be mounted to provide an enclosure to shelter a person.

[0001] This invention relates to a collapsible shelter especiallyadapted for use in providing temporary shelter to an outdoorsman such asan ice fisherman, a hunter, or other person who can benefit fromprotection against the elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is common for persons who engage in the sports of fishing andhunting to equip themselves with collapsible shelters to shieldthemselves from weather and from their intended targets, such as ducks,geese, deer, and other wild life. Such shelters are in wide use by icefishermen who traditionally travel over ice covering a body of water toa selected site at which a temporary shelter is erected.

[0003] In most instances a shelter is composed of a plurality ofcomponents which, during transit, are disassembled and stowed in a sledwhich may be drawn along the ice by being attached to a snowmobile, anall terrain vehicle (ATV), or simply attached to a line which may beheld by a fisherman and dragged behind him across the ice. Not all icesurfaces are smooth. On the contrary, ice surfaces more often than notare irregular. Consequently, towing a sled across such surfacesfrequently causes the sled to overturn, become stuck, or damaged bybeing driven into upstanding obstacles. Any of these occurrences isobjectionable and may result in loss or displacement of equipment ordamage thereto.

[0004] When a disassembled shelter is towed to a selected ice fishingsite the parts must be unpacked and assembled to erect the shelter. Manyof the currently available shelters are composed of so many parts that asubstantial period of time is required to arrange the parts and effectthe assembly. In those instances in which the sled is not used in thefinal assembly except, perhaps, as a seat, care must be taken to ensurethat the sled will not be blown away. Care also must be taken to ensurethat the shelter itself is not blown away on those occasions when thewind velocity is high. The same observations apply with respect to theshelters used on land by hunters and the like.

[0005] When the need for the temporary shelter is over it is necessaryto disassemble the components, repack them in a sled or other carrier,and leave the site. All of the difficulties experienced in arriving atthe site once again are encountered.

[0006] A principal object of the invention is to provide a temporary,collapsible shelter which overcomes or minimizes greatly the problemsreferred to above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Apparatus constructed in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the invention comprises a hollow body composed of two substantiallyidentical members which may be placed in overlying condition so as toform a hollow body. A support frame underlies the body to providesupport for the body in a position above ground level. The support framemay be mounted on a vehicle so as to be anchored thereto or, if desired,the support frame or the body may be provided with pivotable, adjustablelength support legs so as to enable the body to be supported in a freestanding condition.

[0008] The two body members are triangular in end elevation and arehinged to one another along two confronting side edges so as to enablethe upper body member to be swung through substantially 180° and projectlaterally and downwardly toward ground level from the other body member.The two body members have panels which completely enclose the body whenthe two body members are in overlying relation. Such panels alsoprovide, when the body members are in their adjusted positions, abackrest and seat for a person, as well as a wind break and footsupport.

[0009] The volume of each body member is sufficient to accommodateseveral disassembled frame components which, when assembled, extendabove the body member and provide support for a cover formed of fabricor the like and which encloses the interior of the assembly, therebyproviding protection for the user against the elements.

[0010] A doorway and a door are provided at one side of the cover toprovide access to the interior of the cover. The door may be closedfollowing entry of a person into the enclosure. In addition, window-likeopenings may be provided to enable an occupant to see beyond theshelter.

[0011] The frame members for supporting the cover, as well as the coveritself, may be accommodated in the body when the latter is in its closedcondition, thereby providing easily accessible storage for suchcomponents. In those instances in which the body and its components areattached to a vehicle and at a level above ground level, no difficultyis encountered in traversing the surface of ground or ice to and from aselected site because neither the body nor its contents engages thesurface.

[0012] Upon reaching a selected site the two halves of the body membermay be adjusted relative to each other to provide a base on which aprotective enclosure may be erected. In the adjusted position, one halfof the body member forms a seat and backrest for a person and the otherhalf provides a foot support which rests at ground level. The variouspanels forming the two body member halves also provide a wind break andshelter for an occupant.

[0013] In the adjusted positions of the two body member halves one ofthem may remain connected to the vehicle if desired. If it is preferredto uncouple the vehicle from the body member, however, ground engageablesupport legs may be moved to positions in which they, together with thatbody member half which is at ground level, provide a support for theapparatus.

[0014] Following relative movement of the body member halves to theadjusted positions, frame members normally stored in the body member maybe joined to one another and erected to receive and support an enclosureformed of flexible, fabric-like panels which form a top and fourcontiguous sides which completely enclose the space within. One of thesides is provided with a flap which is movable between open and closedpositions so as to enable access to the interior of the enclosure.

THE DRAWINGS

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, isometric view of the rear of aconventional all terrain vehicle provided with a support frame on whicha body member may be mounted;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating a closed bodymember mounted on the support frame;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating the twohalves of the body member in adjusted positions;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating acover-supporting framework in an erected position preparatory to beingfitted with a cover; and

[0020]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the cover inplace.

THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] A collapsible shelter constructed in accordance with theinvention is adapted for use in conjunction with a wheeled, powervehicle 1 such as an ATV, a snowmobile, or other suitable vehicle. Asshown, the vehicle 1 is an ATV having a main frame 2 on which arejournalled ground engageable traction wheels 3, as is customary. Thevehicle 1 conventionally is provided adjacent its rear with a luggagerack 4 composed of a plurality of tubular frame members 5 supported byand fixed to the vehicle frame 2. Although the vehicle 1 is illustratedas comprising an ATV, it will be understood that the vehicle could besnowmobile, a truck, or any other vehicle appropriate for use.

[0022] A supporting frame 6 is provided for the purpose of couplingapparatus yet to be described to the vehicle 1. As shown, the frame 6comprises substantially horizontal frame members 7 and 8 joined tovertically extending coupling bars 9 provided at their upper ends withdevises 10 which accommodate one of the bars 5 of the rack 4 and aremaintained in assembled relation therewith by nut and bolt assemblies11. Spanning the frame members 7 are one or more support plates 12 whichprovide a base for supporting the apparatus yet to be described. Theplate 12 may be equipped with anchor members 13 and with openings 14 forthe accommodation of anchor bolts (not shown).

[0023] The supporting frame 6 also includes a stabilizing bar 15 securedat its lower end to some part, such as a plate 12, of the frame 6 andhaving at its upper end a clevis 16 corresponding in all respects to thedevises 10 and secured to one of the frame bars 5 of the rack 4. Thestabilizing bar 15 extends obliquely rearwardly and downwardly from therack 4 so as to preclude rocking movement of the frame 6 about itsconnections to the rack 4.

[0024] Should it become necessary or desirable to remove the frame 6from the vehicle 1, the devises 10 and 16 may be uncoupled from theframe members of the rack 4.

[0025] Mounted on the frame 6 so as to be supported thereby from belowis a hollow body 17 composed of two like body members 18 and 19. Thebody member 18 forms one half of the body 17 and has a first or mainpanel 20 joined at one edge to an upstanding back panel 21. Joining thepanels 20 and 21 at opposite ends of the latter are triangular panels 22and 23 which extend diagonally from the free edges of the panels 20 and21. The panel 20 of the body member 18 is secured to the support frame 6in a conventional manner with suitable couplings (not shown) so that thepanel 20 is substantially horizontal and terminates in an edge 24 facingrearwardly of the vehicle 1.

[0026] The body member 19 is a mirror image of the member 18 and has amain panel 25 joined at one edge to a flat panel 26. The panel 25overlies and parallels the panel 20 when the frame members are in thepositions shown in FIG. 2. Triangular end panels 27 and 28 like the endpanels 22 and 23 join the panels 25 and 26.

[0027] The panel 25 has a free edge 29 which is adjacent and rockablycoupled to the edge 24 of the panel 20 by hinges 30. The body member 19thus is capable of swinging movement from a position overlying the bodymember 18, as is shown in FIG. 2, to an adjusted position shown in FIGS.3 and 4 in which the body member 19 extends obliquely rearwardly anddownwardly to ground level.

[0028] As is illustrated in FIG. 3 the body member 18 provides space forthe accommodation of a plurality of frame sections 31 which may betelescopingly and separably connected to one another. As also is shownin FIG. 3, the frame sections 31 are separated. The body member 18 alsoprovides support for a pair of frame sections 32 which are pivoted asshown at 33 to the panel 21 so as to enable the frame sections to beswung to and supported in a vertically extending position.

[0029] The body member 19 accommodates a U-shaped frame 34 having sidesections 35, 36 joined by a cross bar 37. The frame 34 is pivoted tobrackets 38 mounted on the panel 26 so as to be swung from the storedposition shown in FIG. 3 to an extended position rearwardly of thevehicle 1 and at ground level, as is shown in FIG. 4.

[0030] Following movement of the body member 19 to the position shown inFIG. 3, and the swinging of the frame sections 35-37 to the positionshown in FIG. 4, the loose frame sections 31 may be assembled with oneanother in telescoping manner so as to provide an upstanding framework39. At the junction of the vertical and horizontal frame sections 31 aresuitable fittings 40 to enable the sections to be coupled to oneanother. Two of the sections 31 are fitted with spring couplings 41 soas to enable them to span the two end vertical sections of the frameworkand maintain them in upright condition as shown in FIG. 4.

[0031]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but includes a protectivecovering 45 formed of a light weight, moisture resistant nylon or otherfabric having a top section 46 and four vertical sections 47, 48 whichdepend from the upper part of the framework 39 to form a four sidedprotective enclosure which encircles the extended body members and theframework 39. One of the sections 48 has a flap 49 which normally closesa doorway or opening formed in a section 48 so as to permit easy accessto the interior of the enclosure. Zippers 50 or the like may be used tomaintain the flap 49 in its closed position.

[0032] To condition the apparatus for use the supporting frame 6 iscoupled to the rack 4 of the vehicle 1 so that the frame 6 is in asubstantially horizontal position well above ground level. The framesections 31-37 are stowed in the body members 18 and 19, along with theprotective covering 45 and any equipment which the user may desire toinclude. Such equipment may include an auger for boring a hole throughice, as well as fishing equipment if the user intends to do ice fishing.If the user intends to use the apparatus for hunting, the equipmentstowed in the body 17 may include firearms, ammunition, and whateverother materials may be desired.

[0033] The vehicle 1 then may be driven to a selected site at which thechosen activity is to be performed. Since the body 17 is supported frombelow and well above ground level, unevenness in the surface over whichthe vehicle is driven will not affect the body.

[0034] When the selected site has been reached, the vehicle may bestopped and the body member 19 swung relative to the body member 18about the hinges 30 so as to enable the body section 19 to extendrearwardly of the vehicle and downwardly to ground level. In thisconnection, the height above ground level at which the frame 6 ispositioned should be such that, when the body member 19 is in itsrearwardly and downwardly extending position, the panel member 26 willrest upon the ground or ice, as the case may be.

[0035] It is understood that the surface of ice is not, strictlyspeaking, ground. Accordingly, the term ground level, as used herein, isintended to mean the level of the surface over which the vehicle isdriven.

[0036] When the body 17 has been opened by placing the members 18 and 19in the adjusted positions, the frame elements 31-37 can be assembled toform the supporting framework 39 for the cover 45. The latter then maybe assembled over the framework so as to provide an enclosure for theprotection and comfort of the user.

[0037] When the body members 18 and 19 are in the positions shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the panel member 20 forms a seat for the user, the panelmember 21 forms a combined wind screen and backrest, the panel member 25forms a wind screen for the legs of a user seated on the panel 20, andthe panel 26 provides a foot support so as to enable the user's feet toavoid resting directly on ice. The end panels 22, 23, 27, and 28cooperate with the other panels to enclose the area of the body members.

[0038] The frame section formed by the elements 35-37 provides an areain which a hole may be formed in ice, thereby enabling the user to beseated on the panel 20 with his feet supported on the panel 26 whilefishing.

[0039] There are some occasions when a user of the equipment may wish touncouple the shelter from the vehicle 1 and leave the erected shelter inplace. The uncoupling of the shelter from the vehicle will remove thesupport for the body member 18. For these occasions the frame 6 (or themain panel 20, if desired) may include a pair of auxiliary support legs50 (FIGS. 1 and 5) comprising an enlarged tubular part 51 and a reducedtelescoping part 52 that is slideably accommodated in the part 51. Thetubular part 51 is hinged at one end to a hinge block 53 which issecured to the frame member 7 of the frame 6 (or to the panel 20) insuch manner as to limit movements of the leg 50 between the horizontaland vertical positions shown. The free end of the part 52 is providedwith an enlarged area foot 54 which is adapted to rest upon ice orground. Preferably, there are two of the auxiliary supports 50 spacedapart from one another at that end of the frame 6 which is adjacent thevehicle 1.

[0040] To make use of the auxiliary supports 50 the telescoping legsections 51 and 52 are swung from the horizontal positions shown in FIG.1 to the vertical position shown in FIG. 5 and adjusted so that theoverall height of each leg section corresponds to the distance from theframe 6 to ground level. The sections 51 and 52 may be provided withalignable openings 55 for the accommodation of pins (not shown) so as tosecure the leg sections in a selected position of vertical adjustment.Thereafter, the frame 6 may be uncoupled from the vehicle 1 and thelatter driven away. The shelter apparatus then will be supported byengagement of the body member 19 with the ground and by the auxiliarysupports 50.

[0041] When the user has finished with the apparatus it is a simplematter to remove the cover 45, separate the various frame elements andreturn them to the body member, and swing the body member 19 upwardly tothe position shown in FIG. 2 in which the body member 19 overlies themember 18. If the frame 6 has been uncoupled from the vehicle, the frameshould be recoupled to the vehicle and the auxiliary supporting legsreturned to their inactive, horizontal positions. Any suitable tether(not shown) may be used to tie the legs 50 to the frame 6 so as toensure their being maintained in their horizontal, inactive positions.

[0042] A particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention isthe rapidity with which the shelter may be erected and dismantled. Testshave shown that even an inexperienced person may erect or disassemblethe shelter in less than five minutes.

[0043] The disclosed embodiment is representative of a presentlypreferred form of the invention, but is intended to be illustrativerather than definitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.

I claim:
 1. Collapsible shelter apparatus for providing temporaryshelter to an outdoorsman, said apparatus comprising a pair of bodymembers hinged to one another for swinging movements about asubstantially horizontal axis above ground level from a first positionin which one of said body members overlies the other of said bodymembers and together therewith forms a closed hollow body, to a secondposition in which said one of said body members extends beyond anddownward from said other of said body members to ground level; andsupport means for maintaining said other of said body members in asubstantially horizontal position above ground level, said body memberswhen in said second position providing seating for a person.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1 including a plurality of separable frameelements operable when assembled to form a framework for supporting acover which encloses said body when said one of said body members is insaid second position.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2 includingmeans for pivotally connecting selected ones of said frame elements tosaid body members for swinging movements of said frame elements fromcollapsed condition to an erected condition to provide upstandingsupport for said cover.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 whereineach of said body members is triangular in end elevation.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said body members forms aright triangle in end elevation.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein each of said body members comprises a pair of planar sidesjoined together along corresponding edges and having free oppositeedges, each of said body members having a pair of end members joined toboth of said planar sides, each of said end members being triangular. 7.The apparatus according to claim 6 including hinge means hingedlyconnecting the free edges of said pair of planar sides.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a frameunderlying said other of said body members.
 9. The apparatus accordingto claim 8 including coupling means for coupling said frame to a vehicleat a level above ground level.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 8wherein said support means includes ground engageable legs carried bysaid frame and cooperable with said one of said body members when thelatter is in said second position to support said frame in saidhorizontal position above ground level.
 11. The apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein said legs are adjustable in length.
 12. Collapsibleshelter apparatus for providing temporary shelter to an outdoorsman,said apparatus comprising a pair of substantially uniform, mirror imagebody members each of which has a main panel having a free side edge andopposite end edges, each of said body members having a side panel joinedto and extending from the opposite side edge of the associated mainpanel, each of said body members having opposite end panels joined tothe main panel and the side panel of the associated body member, each ofsaid end panels of each of said body members having a free edgeextending diagonally from the free edge of the side panel to the freeedge of the main panel of the associated body member; hinge meansjoining the main panels of said body members at their free edges forenabling swinging movement of one of said body members relative to theother of said body members from a first position in which said one ofsaid body members overlies the other of said body members to a secondposition, said body members when in said first position forming aclosed, hollow body; mounting means for mounting said other of said bodymembers in a position in which the main panel thereof occupies asubstantially horizontal position above ground level, said one of saidbody members when in said second position extending laterally anddownwardly to ground level from said free edge of said main panel ofsaid other of said body members, the main panel of said other of saidbody member when said one of said body members occupies said firstposition forming a seat for a person and the main panel of said one ofsaid body members when said one of said body members occupies saidsecond position forming a foot support for such person, and separableframe members carried by said body members and forming a frameworkextending to a level above that of said other of said body members forsupporting a cover having substantially vertical sides extending aboutsaid framework and enclosing said body members when said one of saidbody members is in said second position.
 13. The apparatus according toclaim 12 wherein said mounting means comprises a frame on which saidother of said body members is supported, and supporting means connectedto said frame for supporting the latter in a substantially horizontalposition.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein saidsupporting means comprises frame members for connecting said frame to avehicle.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said supportingmeans comprise ground engageable legs joined to said frame and extendingtherefrom to ground level.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 15wherein said legs are pivotally joined to said frame for swingingmovements between substantially horizontal and vertical positions. 17.The combination of a vehicle having ground engageable traction means;and a shelter support, said shelter support comprising a frame, mountingmeans mounting said frame on said vehicle at a level above ground level,a first body member supported in a substantially horizontal positionfrom below by said frame, and a second body member coupled to said firstbody member for swinging movements from a first position in which saidsecond body member overlies said first body member and together with thelatter forms a closed hollow body, to a second position in which saidfirst body member remains in said substantially horizontal position andsaid second body member extends obliquely downward from said first bodymember to ground level, said first and second body members having panelswhich provide sheltered support for a person when said second bodymember is in said second position.
 18. The combination according toclaim 17 wherein said mounting means is separable from said vehicle andincluding auxiliary support means carried by said frame and extendabletherefrom downwardly to ground level, thereby enabling said first bodymember to be supported by said frame and said auxiliary support means,and said second body member to be supported by said first body member inground engagement at said ground level.
 19. The combination according toclaim 18 including multiple, separable frame sections connected to saidbody members and to one another forming a framework for the support of acover having multiple sections joined together and forming an enclosurefor both of said body members.
 20. The combination according to claim 17wherein one of the panels of said first body member provides a seat andone of the panels of said second body member provides a foot supportwhen said second body member is in said second position.